XS Computer One - Apple 1 Replica Project
About
This project is an attempt to build a working replica of the Apple-1 computer, made in 1976 by Steve Wozniak and released by Apple Computer Company, now Apple, Inc.
Only about 200 units of this computer were made. Today, only about 60 units still exists, and less than 10 are known working.
They are sometimes sold at auctions, for record prices. In 2012, one was sold for $671,000.
To my knowledge, three replica projects exists:
Replica-1 by Vince Briel, Mimeo-1 by Mike Willegal, and Obtronix by Steve Gabaly.
The last two are exact replicas, while the first one uses actual components with a different motherboard layout.
So this project will be (hopefully) a fourth one.
I decided to build my own replica from scratch, as it's a very nice occasion to learn about electronics.
As a programmer, I sometimes feel frustrated not to know more about this... ; )
Roadmap
There's of course no real roadmap yet, as I'm currently learning as I go. The project will surely takes a huge amount of time, so don't expect results too soon.
Here are the actual project parts:
# | Part | Status | Description |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Learn | In progress | Learn as much as possible on electronics, as I'm completely new to this. |
2 | Test | Experiment with a few basic PCB and components. | |
3 | Component Identification | In progress | Get the original component specification from the original schematics and documentation. |
4 | Component Purchase | In progress | Purchase components or find alternatives if they are not available anymore. |
5 | ROM | Find a way to get the original ROM and have it built somehow. | |
6 | Prototype | Get a prototype working on a breadboard. | |
7 | PCB Design | Design the final PCB, as close as possible to the original Apple-1, and have it printed. | |
8 | Mounting | Mount all components on the motherboard. |
Tools & Equipment
Manufacturer | Part No. | Details | Alternative | Quantity | Found | Status |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
B&K Precision | DP 21 | Logic Probe / 20 MHz - 30 Ns | N/A | 1 | Yes | - |
Fluke | 87-V | True RMS Digital Multimeter | N/A | 1 | Yes | - |
(Soldering Station) | N/A | 1 | No | - | ||
(Desolder Pump) | N/A | 1 | No | - | ||
(Solder) | N/A | 1 | No | - | ||
(Breadboard) | N/A | 1 | No | - | ||
(Power Transformer) | N/A | 1 | No | - | ||
(Safety Glasses) | N/A | 1 | No | - |
Note: Any equivalent tool may be used. Tools listed here are the one I'll use for the project.
Hardware Parts - Power Supply
Power Transformers
Manufacturer | Part No. | Details | Alternative | Quantity | Found | Status |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Stancor | P-8380 | 117 V / 10 V CT - 3.0 A | Triad Magnetics F-31X | 1 | Yes | - |
Stancor | P-8667 | 117 V / 28 V CT - 1.0 A | Triad Magnetics F40X | 1 | Yes | - |
Rectifiers
Manufacturer | Part No. | Details | Alternative | Quantity | Found | Status |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
??? | MR500 | 50 V / 3.0 A | MCC FR301-TP | 4 | Yes | - |
Fairchild Semiconductor | 1N4001 | 50 V / 1.0 A | N/A | 4 | Yes | - |
Capacitors
Manufacturer | Part No. | Details | Alternative | Quantity | Found | Status |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sprague | 53D113G025JP6 | Radial Aluminum Electrolytic / 15 V - 5300 uF | ??? | 1 | No | - |
Sprague | 53D382G050JL6 | Radial Aluminum Electrolytic / 25 V - 2400 uF | ??? | 2 | No | - |
Vishay | MAL213826229E3 | Radial Aluminum Electrolytic / 25 V - 22 uF | Nichicon TVX1E220MAD1LS | 5 | Yes | - |
Voltage Regulators
Manufacturer | Part No. | Details | Alternative | Quantity | Found | Status |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
STMicroelectronics | LM323K | +15 V / +5 V - 3.0 A | N/A | 1 | Yes | - |
National Semiconductor | LM320 MP-5 | -15 V / -5 V - 1.0 A | Fairchild Semiconductor LM7905CT | 1 | Yes | - |
National Semiconductor | LM320 MP-12 | -25 V / -12 V - 1.0 A | Fairchild Semiconductor LM7912CT | 1 | Yes | - |
National Semiconductor | LM340-12 | +25 V / +12 V - 1.0 A | Fairchild Semiconductor LM7812CT | 1 | Yes | - |
Heatsinks
Manufacturer | Part No. | Details | Alternative | Quantity | Found | Status |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Wakefield | 680-125A | 1.5 C/W | N/A | 1 | Yes | - |
Fuses
Manufacturer | Part No. | Details | Alternative | Quantity | Found | Status |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Littelfuse | Axial Glass / 3AG Slo-Blo / 125 V - 0.5 A | ??? | 1 | No | - |
Connectors
Manufacturer | Part No. | Details | Alternative | Quantity | Found | Status |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Molex | 171813-0006 | 6-Pin Power Connector | N/A | 1 | Yes | - |
??? | ??? | 4-Pin Video Connector | ??? | 1 | No | - |
??? | ??? | 22-Pin Connector | ??? | 1 | No | - |
??? | ??? | B4 (Keyboard?) | ??? | 1 | No | - |
Hardware Parts - Terminal Section
Crystal
Manufacturer | Part No. | Details | Alternative | Quantity | Found | Status |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ECS | ECS-143-S-1X | HC-49/U / 14.31818 MHz | N/A | 1 | Yes | - |
...
Hardware Parts - Processor Section
Processor
Manufacturer | Part No. | Details | Alternative | Quantity | Found | Status |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MOS Technology | 6502 | ??? | 1 | No | - |
Memory
Manufacturer | Part No. | Details | Alternative | Quantity | Found | Status |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
??? | MK4096 | ??? | 16 | No | - |
PIA
Manufacturer | Part No. | Details | Alternative | Quantity | Found | Status |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Motorola | MC6820CL | Peripheral Interface Adapter | ??? | 1 | Yes | - |
...
Repository Infos
Owner: Jean-David Gadina - XS-Labs
Web: www.xs-labs.com
Blog: www.noxeos.com
Twitter: @macmade
GitHub: github.com/macmade
LinkedIn: ch.linkedin.com/in/macmade/
StackOverflow: stackoverflow.com/users/182676/macmade